Multipurpose metal traction device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a multipurpose metal traction device and a method of making the same. The invented traction device is made of metal, preferably {fraction (1/16)}″ to ⅛″ thick, preferably with decorative steel chromium alloys, such as stainless steel, or a non-ferrous metal such as aluminum or titanium. The present invention is created by taking a plate of the metal and applying a double-sided adhesive, preferably a high strength tape, to one of the surfaces of the plate or sheet and then cutting through one of the surfaces of the plate or sheet, said markings denoting a decoration. Said adhesive could be placed on the metal plate after the cutting of said plate. A computer could be used to guide the cutting equipment by following a preprogrammed template or path, and as such markings upon one of the surfaces of the plate or sheet would not necessarily be necessary. A plasma cutting torch, laser torch, water jet, punch and die or other cutting equipment is then used to make cuts along the markings made on the surface of the plate or sheet. Cutting the plate or sheet in such a manner results in the creation of openings through the plate, such openings when viewed together forming a decorative pattern and increasing the perimeter length and amount and number of edges available for the sole of the footwear to grip. Patterns that can be created using this method include lettering, silhouettes, and decorative artwork in general. The traction devices themselves can be mounted on any smooth surface providing an artistic decorative non-slip surface that does not require hardware to keep in place.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from provisional patent application No.60/525,141 filed on Nov. 28, 2003 entitled Multipurpose metal tractiondevice filed by:

-   Robert Jason Leni-   Citizen of the United States of America-   2005A Inglis Way-   Roseville, CA 95678

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a decorative metal traction-enhancingdevice, in particular, to a traction-enhancing device for footplatforms, including sports boards.

The typical sports board, such as a snowboard or mountain board has twobindings that secure the rider to the board. When the rider needs topropel himself along flat terrain it is necessary to remove one footfrom its binding and use that foot for propulsion. For short distancesit is preferable to have a rest area on the board other than on thebinding in order to rest the propulsion foot.

There are existing traction devices for the rest area, such as rubbermats known as stomp pads in a variety of designs, but none of thesedevices offer the same secure grip, aesthetic quality, or durability, inthe same way as that provided by the traction device of presentinvention.

There is one prior article known that employs the use of adhesive stuckto the back of a rectangular piece of metal plate or sheet to providetraction, however this prior article does not employ the use ofdecorative cuts to increase the amount of edge or edges available forthe sole of the footwear to grip. This existing rectangular piece ofmetal only has 16 linear inches of edge available for the sole of thefootwear to grip. Since this prior article is in the shape of arectangle it also does not employ the use of inside and outside contoursto increase the perimeter length. Also, this prior article does notemploy the new method of manufacture invented and instead is made byattaching the adhesive after the manufacture of the metal portion of thetraction device. The new invented process reduces the overallmanufacturing time of the new multipurpose traction device.

Traction enhancing devices of differing degrees of effectiveness are oldand well known in various fields of art for various purposes. Thefollowing discussion provides a summary of devices of interest.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,908, issued to Vladimir S. Makarenko on Jan. 10,1989, is a ski binding device that comprises rest pins attached to skiboots and corresponding holes on the ski for mating with the rest pins,and a lock for restraining the vertical movement of the boot. The deviceis designed for easily shifting the position of a ski boot on a ski. Thedifferences between the ski binding device and the present inventioninclude, among others, in that the present invention does not require alock, nor does it restrain vertical movement. A restraint on verticalmovement would be detrimental to the functionality of the currentinvention as a traction device.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,091, issued to Michael H. Cook on Nov. 17, 1998,discloses cleats embedded in a flexible base for traction enhancement,especially on ice and snow. The cleats disclosed in the '091 patentdiffer from the current invention in that the traction device is made ofartistically cut metal diamond plate. This design would be detrimentalto the functionality of the '091 patent in its effort to gain tractionon ice and snow. Also, the current invention is designed to attach to asubstantially inflexible base, whereas the '091 invention is designed tobe attached to a flexible base.

European Pat. No. 152017, published for Sartor Mariano on Aug. 21, 1985,discloses a heel plate structure for ski boots having a mushroom-shapedelement being receivable into a depression. This European Applicationdiffers from the present invention in that the present invention doesnot utilize studs for traction, is not mushroom shaped, and does nothave a heel plate.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,539, issued to James Barnes on Oct. 22, 2002discloses a metal memorial monument and method for making the same. Themetal memorial monument disclosed relates to metal monuments serving asor decorating, a gravestone or memorial and the method of manufacturingsaid monument. The current invention differs from the '539 patent inthat it is not a monument.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,003,0137128A1, issued to Scott W. Raffo on Jul. 24, 2003discloses a multipurpose traction device consisting of a single orplurality of studs of frustro-conical shape attached to a circular basesection. The current invention differs from the multipurpose tractiondevice in that the current invention does not utilize frustro-conicalstuds or a circular base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a multipurpose metal traction device and methodof making the same wherein the traction device comprises decorativeholes and inside and outside contours comprising the outside and insideedges in the traction device. Said holes and contours effectivelyincrease the inside and outside perimeter length and ratio of edge tosurface area and the amount of edge or edges for enhancing tractionbetween a person's footwear and the surface the person is standing upon,such as a platform or a sports board rider=s boot upon a sports board.With regard to the sports board application, a sports board typicallyhas a top and bottom surface, and two bindings attached to the topsurface. The multipurpose traction device typically consists of a plateof metal with adhesive attached to one surface with the plate cut in adecorative manner such that the perimeter=s contains both inside andoutside contours and having at least 25 inches or more of edge for thesole of the footwear to grip. The inside and outside contours combine toincrease the perimeter=s length of the traction edges of themultipurpose metal traction device. The inside and outside contours caninclude constant radius curves and variable radius curves, as well assharp corners. Inside contours are opened away from the traction deviceand outside contours enclose the traction device. For example arectangle, oval and circle only have outside contours on the externalperimeter that enclose the surface area. By combining the use of insideand outside contours the traction length can be lengthened to providemore edge for the sole of the footwear to grip. In addition, the methodof manufacture can include the placing of adhesive onto the plate ofmetal prior to the cutting of said traction device.

When a sports board rider positions his boot on top of a metal plate cutin a decorative manner with the outside perimeter having both inside andoutside contours, the edges of the plate interact with the sole of theboot. The cut edges on the plate provide a rough surface for the boot togrip. This gives the sports board rider greater control of the board.These effects are seen where the multipurpose traction device is appliedto other platforms, such as a ladder rung, boat, bicycle pedal, or stairstep.

Cutting both the adhesive and metal plate at the same time cansignificantly reduce the manufacturing costs of creating the currentinvention.

The present invention is created by taking a plate of metal andattaching a double-sided adhesive to one of the surfaces of said metalplate and then making markings upon a surface of the plate or adhesive,said markings denoting a decoration. A water jet, plasma cutting torch,laser torch, punch and die, or other cutting equipment is then used tomake cuts along the markings drawn on the surface of the plate or sheet.Rather than making markings upon the surface of the plate or sheet, acomputer controlled cutting instrument could be used to follow a patternfrom a preprogrammed template of a program. Cutting the plate in such amanner results in the creation of openings through the plate, saidopenings, when viewed together, forming a decorative pattern with insideand outside contours that increase the traction length and the amount ofedge or edges on the material. Patterns that can be created using thismethod include lettering, silhouettes, and decorative artwork ingeneral. The openings may represent a design of interest (for example, aflower, animal, likeness of a person, a tree, a landscape, a fish, afraternal organization emblem, a cross, a star, a logo, anadvertisement, or other design) either in the positive or negative, thatis, with the object, person, or emblem cut out or with the background ofthe object person or emblem cut out. For instance a multipurpose metaltraction device could be created having a logo of a company cutout to beplaced on said company's snowboards or the stair steps at a company'splace of business.

The traction devices themselves can be mounted on any smooth flatsurface.

Accordingly, it is a principle object of the invention to provideimproved traction between a sports board and the sole of a boot andreduced manufacturing time providing great cost savings of multipurposetraction devices.

It is a further object to disclose a device for improving the tractionof footwear upon a variety of slick surfaces, such as ice, snow, mud,concrete, and metallic and non-metallic surfaces.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which isinexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing itsintended purposes.

It is another object of the invention to improve the aesthetics ofsurfaces needing traction.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a blank plate of metal.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a blank plate of metal and a blank pieceof adhesive.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the multipurpose metal traction device attachedto a snowboard according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a multipurpose metal traction device 100 and amethod of making the same comprised of a single or plurality of metalplates 110 which, as seen in FIG. 1, have decorative cutouts 120 as seenin FIG. 2 with inside contours 132 and outside contours 134, thateffectively increases the traction length and the amount of edge oredges 130 to 25 inches or more.

The plate 110 is cut from a plate of metal, preferably {fraction(1/16)}″ to ⅛″ thick. Steel=s chromium alloys such as stainless steel,and non-ferrous metals, such as Aluminum and Titanium are preferred fortheir durability and greater resistance to weathering and corrosion thanordinary steel or iron. Adhesive 150 in the form of tape or glue isplaced on a planar surface of the plate or sheet metal prior to cutting.The manufacturer may also choose to use a textured metal, such asdiamond plate or decking, rather than a smooth metal for its additionaltraction benefits and aesthetic qualities.

Preferably, a computer controlled cutting instrument would be used tocut the traction device out of the plate or sheet of metal. The computercontrolled cutting instrument could be programmed to follow apreprogrammed template or path, thereby cutting along a path programmedinto the computer but not actually marked upon the surface of the plateor sheet 110. The markings or path can comprise lettering, numbering,silhouettes, and other decorative patterns all of which are comprised ofinside contours 132 and outside contours 134. Such cuts are completelythrough the plate or sheet 110, however texture and detail can be addedby making additional, thin cuts through the plate or sheet 110 oretching or engraving the surface of the plate or sheet 110.

The cuts along the preprogrammed path result in waste scraps of metal,which are discarded, and a plate 110 having a new decorative shape withor without openings 160 cut in the shape of the preprogrammed path ofthe computer controlled cutting instrument leaving a decorative tractiondevice with increased inside and outside perimeter=s length.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are isometric views of two of many envisionedmultipurpose decorative metal traction devices. The perimeter length andamount of edge or edges 130 is increased by the cutting path or templatethrough the use of combining inside contours 132 and outside contours134.

FIG. 3 is an isometric exploded view of a metal plate or sheet 110 andthe adhesive 150 placed prior to the cutting of said metal plate. Byplacing the adhesive 150 on the metal plate 110 before cuttingcommences, assembly time of the multipurpose traction device iseliminated and significant cost savings is achieved.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the multipurpose decorative metal tractiondevice attached to a snowboard according to the present invention. FIG.4 is a top view of a snowboard 170 with the multipurpose decorativemetal traction device attached 100. Typically the bottom surface of thetraction device will be attached to the top surface of a snowboard orother smooth surface.

Although the multipurpose decorative metal traction device 100 isdescribed with reference to a snowboard, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that the multipurpose decorative metal tractiondevice 100 may be used with any surface where improved traction isdesired, e.g. mountain boards, snow skates, snow decks, ladder rungs,bike pedals, stair steps, boats, RV units and other foot platforms.

In addition to the usefulness as a traction enhancing device, themultipurpose decorative metal traction device 110 is also anaesthetically pleasing logo, advertisement, or piece of artwork that canbe displayed on surfaces not requiring traction.

1. A multipurpose traction device comprising in combination: A planarmetal plate, said plate cut in a decorative pattern, said plate havingedges defining a perimeter or perimeters of said plate, said perimeter=sincluding both inside contours and outside contours, such that thelength of said perimeter=s is increased, thereby increasing theeffective amount of edge or edges available to grip the sole of theusers footwear; and a fastener to couple said plate to a surfaceselected to have its traction enhanced.
 2. The multipurpose tractiondevice of claim 1, wherein said external edges including both insidecontours and outside contours such that a length of said perimeter=s isincreased to more than 25 inches in length.
 3. The multipurpose tractiondevice of claim 2, wherein said inside and outside contours includeinside corners.
 4. The multipurpose traction device of claim 3, whereinsaid inside corners include inside curves.
 5. The multipurpose tractiondevice of claim 4, wherein said inside curves include circular curveswith a constant radius of curvature.
 6. The multipurpose traction deviceof claim 4, wherein said inside curves include irregular curves with avariable radius of curvature.
 7. The multipurpose traction device ofclaim 1, wherein one surface of the traction device is attached to afoot platform or any smooth surface.
 8. The multipurpose traction deviceof claim 1, comprising a plurality of traction devices, said pluralityof tractions devices having more than 25 inches of perimeter=s length.9. The multipurpose traction device of claim 1, wherein one surface ofthe traction device is attached by adhesive or tape, rivet, screw, bolt,glue, or nail.
 10. A sports board traction device, comprising: A boardhaving a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface beingadapted for movement over a surface; and a single or plurality oftraction devices disposed on the top surface of the board, wherein eachtraction device comprises a planar metal plate, said plate cut in adecorative pattern, said plate having edges defining a perimeter of saidplate, said perimeter=s including both inside contours and outsidecontours, such that the length of said perimeter=s is increased, therebyincreasing the effective amount of edge or edges to 25 inches or moreavailable to grip the sole of the users footwear; and a fastener tocouple said plate to a surface selected to have its traction enhanced11. The sports board traction device of claim 10, wherein the board isconstructed and configured for movement over snow.
 12. The sports boardtraction device of claim 10, wherein the board is constructed andconfigured for movement over a hard surface.
 13. The sports boardtraction device of claim 10, wherein the board is constructed andconfigured for movement over water.
 14. The multipurpose traction devicemounted on surfaces not requiring traction for the purpose of artisticexpression or advertisement.
 15. A method of making a metal multipurposetraction device comprising the steps of: Taking a plate of metal havingat least one planar face; Attaching adhesive to one of the surfaces ofthe metal plate or sheet; marking said face of said plate with marksdenoting a pattern; cutting through said plate along said marks to formopenings in the shape of said pattern.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein adhesive is attached to the plate or sheet prior to cutting saidplate or sheet with a computer controlled laser cutter.
 17. The methodof claim 15, wherein adhesive is attached to the plate or sheet prior tocutting said plate or sheet with a computer controlled water jet. 18.The method of claim 15, wherein adhesive is attached to the plate orsheet prior to cutting said plate or sheet with a computer controlledplasma torch.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein adhesive is attachedto the plate or sheet prior to cutting said plate or sheet with a punchand die.